Brian Harman, the reigning Open champion, tells a funny tale of how he and fellow PGA TOUR winner, Matt Every made a poor error in judgement on a young Asian golfer more than a decade ago. In contrast, Jack Nicklaus, holder of a record 18 major victories, knew the golf world was in for a special treat with the emergence of a rising star.
Paired together in the opening two rounds of the 2012 Sony Open in Hawaii alongside one of several Japanese sponsor exemptions that week, Harman's first impression was similar to Every's thoughts - "Don't think this kid's got it."
"So, we're playing with this kid, and he's very nervous and there are photographers all over the place. He dribbled a couple off the tee boxes and Matt and I made the comment, don't think this kid's got it," said Harman. "He's like nervous beyond all belief. Missed the cut. Didn't play good at all. Don't think this guy is gonna make it... Hideki Matsuyama."
Yes, the very same Hideki Matsuyama, who is now Asia's winningest golfer on the PGA TOUR with nine career victories to date - four more than Harman and Every combined - and proud owner of a green jacket following an historic triumph at the 2021 Masters Tournament.
"So, Matt and I would joke about that. Yeah, we missed on that one," Harman laughed.
This month marks Matsuyama's 10th anniversary of his maiden PGA TOUR victory at The Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, an event hosted by golf legend Jack Nicklaus. The octogenarian still remembers vividly Matsuyama's glorious march to victory at Muirfield Village and instantly liked what he saw.
"When he won, I said, he's going to win a lot of golf tournaments and he's going win some majors," said Nicklaus. "He was a good player before he got here, obviously, or he wouldn't have been here. I knew that, we all knew that," added the 84-year-old on Matsuyama, who was a two-time Asia-Pacific Amateur champion before turning professional.
Denne historien er fra June 2024-utgaven av Golf Asia.
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Denne historien er fra June 2024-utgaven av Golf Asia.
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PLAYING ALONG THE LINES
ClearPath Alignment now adorns the latest TaylorMade TP5 and TP5x Stripe golf balls.
NG CONTINUES TO BLAZE A TRAIL
Sydnie Ng's victory in the Singapore Junior Masters B Division Girls boosts her potential.
DESCENTE ON THE ASCENT
Descente and FILA Golf gives the renovated The Shop at Laguna National Golf Resort Club a trendy boost.
DIVINE PLEASURES FOR A CAUSE
Christian media ministry TWR Asia finds charitable connections through golf.
TO "D" OR NOT TO "D"?
If you chose “D”, you are right and you would be joining millions of people around the world who are choosing “D” as the one necessary supplement they must include in their daily diet.
QUOTIDIAN LUXURY
Audi's new Q4 e-tron offers everyday comfort and performance through sustainable rides.
A RACE LIKE NO OTHER
Join us as we take a front row seat at Le Mans, one of the greatest races in the world, followed by an exclusive tour of Ferrari's automated factory in Maranello, Italy.
CELEBRATING THE MODERN WOMAN
Patek Philippe's Twenty-4 collection has come a long way since its inception at the turn of the millennium, and this year's anniversary edition is a sign of the times.
THE PRIVILEGE OF MEMBERSHIP
Dragon Golf International offers its members in Singapore with access to top courses around the world. Founder and Managing Director Neil Douglas talks about why it may be the answer to the future of golf travel.
THE LURE OF THE LAKESIDE
Banyan Group's massive new undertaking in Phuket rides on soaring international demand for homes on the island
